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Sarel Pretorius will make his Waratahs debut against Samoa this Friday after he was selected to play in the first run on team, which will play the first half of the game. He will partner Captain Berrick Barnes in the halfbacks, as the most likely first choice halfback pairing plays together for the first time.

The game has been set up in four quareters of 30 minutes each, with each player then getting a guaranteed 60 minutes. The Waratahs have opted to give their entire squad a run in this match, as they prepare to tackle the Reds in their season opener in three weeks time.

Another flyhalf, Daniel Halangahu, will captain the side for the second half of the match, leading a team filled with mostly fringe players as well as a few players that have been invited to impress the coaches.

A few players not in the mix due to injury, but who are likely to be fit for the opening fixture are Drew Mitchell, Wycliff Palu and Benn Robinson. Other regulars missing are Rocky Elsom, who is the appointed captain for the season, but will only be back from injury after the first month of fixtures, Dan Vickerman, who is out injured until April and Adam Ashley-Cooper, who is being rested for this match.